SHAKAKHAN raced first up this preparation over 1,300 metres at the Gold Coast on Saturday with Luke Dittman aboard. Fortunately it was the first race on the card on a heavy 8 track because the race meeting was subsequently abandoned later in the day due to deteriorating conditions. The daughter of Shalaa (IRE) is a lightly raced 4 year old mare as a result of needing some extra barrier training as a juvenile but thanks to the dedicated work of pre-trainer Dan Robinson and the Chris Waller Racing stable team, these have been ironed out and she jumped sharply on Saturday. Luke settled her in a good position one off the fence with cover. SHAKAKHAN travelled well in the early stages with Luke improving on her from the 600 metres mark. Upon straightening, she let down strongly in the centre of the track to score a very solid win. It was great to see the mare come back to scale and into the winner’s circle at just her third career start and she will no doubt take great confidence from the win.

SHAKAKHAN was a 2020 Inglis Classic yearling purchase from the draft of Aquis Farm. Her name was a fun play on her sire’s name and she is out of Stakes placed 2 year old Boom Time Savings.